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A CALL FOR CALLS: ACOUSTIC REPOSITORIES BASED IN LATIN AMERICA

Abstract:

In recent decades, the development of new sampling techniques has allowed us to more easily collect novel samples that enrich our knowledge of the specimens we study. In this sense, audiovisual samples, especially acoustic signal recordings, have become an essential part of herpetological research. The correct storage of these specimens is key to strengthening scientific research. However, the vast majority of publicly accessible audiovisual repositories are located in countries of the Global North, which restricts scientific work in Latin countries. The use of local or regional repositories opens the possibility of storing the diversity of scientific samples generated in the region, making them easily accessible to regional researchers and the dissemination of local science. This letter is an urgent call to the herpetological community in Latin America to take three main actions as a community to increase the accessibility, reproducibility and growth of Neotropical amphibian bioacoustic research: 1) researchers should deposit recordings used in published research in national or regional acoustic repositories, 2) publishers and paper reviewers should require authors to provide deposit numbers of all files used in any acoustic research and the correct referencing of the collections used in order to accept manuscripts and, 3) the managements of regional institutions with repositories should ensure that institutional acoustic repositories are strengthened and maintained in the long term.